Jonny Garza Villa, a San Antonio-based author, is making waves in the New Adult Romance genre with the release of their new book, ‘Futbolista.’
Released earlier this month, ‘Futbolista’ is Villa’s first venture into New Adult Romance after a series of queer and Tejano-centric young adult novels.
The book explores a classmates-to-friends-to-lovers storyline, infusing elements of passion, heartfelt moments, and the rich experiences of queer Mexican-American life, all set against the backdrop of college football — or soccer, as it is known to some.
This weekend, Villa is on a Texas book tour, celebrated not only for their new release but also in conjunction with Independent Bookstore Day.
On Saturday, April 26, at 11 a.m., Villa will appear at Whose Books in Oak Cliff for an engaging Conversation with the Author event alongside Jay Guillory.
Later that day, Villa will make their way to Plano to join the opening festivities at Bibliobar, which will include author signings, tarot readings, and refreshments.
Villa is scheduled to speak and sign books at 6 p.m. during this celebration.
So far, their Texas tour has included stops in Houston, San Antonio, and McAllen, where Villa reported a warm reception from both loyal readers and newcomers in the romance genre.
“I’ve had tremendous experiences with both readers who know me and romance readers,” Villa noted.
“The response has been incredible, as this title appears to be reaching a broader audience.”
This shift to New Adult Romance marks a significant step for Villa, as they transition from a young adult readership.
Initially, ‘Futbolista’ started out as a young adult title, but Villa’s editor recommended that they broaden the scope to target an older audience, inspiring Villa to take on this challenge.
“My editor allowing me to write this from an adult perspective gave me the freedom to create the story as it was meant to be,” Villa explained.
“This opportunity felt correct and helped me enjoy the writing process more than ever.”
Setting their books in Texas, Villa incorporates regional details that enhance the authenticity of their stories.
With a blend of queer, Tejano, and Texan perspectives, Villa is carving out a unique niche within the queer literature landscape.
“I love being able to set these stories in Texas, especially in South Texas, to focus on the Mexican-American or Tejano experience while reflecting the varied ways of being queer and brown,” they said.
Villa emphasizes the importance of diversity in experiences, creating characters who range from those who have known they were queer from a young age to those still navigating their identity.
For more information about Independent Bookstore Day at Whose Books, readers can visit WhoseBooks.shop.
Details about Bibliobar’s opening day schedule can be found on their website.
With ‘Futbolista,’ Jonny Garza Villa continues to contribute vibrant narratives to the world of queer literature, celebrating the complexity of identity and the richness of life in Texas.
image source from：https://dallasvoice.com/queer-san-antonio-author-heads-to-dallas-for-independent-bookstore-day/
